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Method and apparatus for tightly coupled interworking between cellular network and wlan networkRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Computers And Digital Processing Systems: Multicomputer Data Transferring, Computer Network ManagingMethod and apparatus for tightly coupled interworking between cellular network and wlan network description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060200543, Method and apparatus for tightly coupled interworking between cellular network and wlan network. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a) of a Korean patent application entitled "Method and Apparatus for Tightly Coupled Interworking between Cellular Network and WLAN Network" filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 4, 2005 and assigned Serial No. 2005-18073, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to an interworking method and apparatus between heterogeneous networks. In particular, the present invention relates to a tightly coupled interworking method and apparatus for allowing a terminal to perform handoff to a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) network without a change in cellular network element in an interworking scheme that uses a cellular network and a WLAN network. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Recently, with the activation of WLAN service, the issue of service interworking between a 3.sup.rd Generation (3G) cellular network and a WLAN network is now attracting attention. During vertical handoff between two heterogeneous networks, a handoff time and a packet loss caused by the handoff are very important factors. Accordingly, there is a need for an efficient interworking scheme capable of minimizing the handoff time and the packet loss. In addition, the required change in the existing system and terminal needed for interworking between the heterogeneous networks should be minimized. [0006] Currently, 3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) proposes a tightly coupled scheme that regards a WLAN network as an access network for a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) 3G system. [0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating configuration of a UMTS network and a WLAN network based on a conventional tightly coupled scheme. [0008] Referring to FIG. 1, the tightly coupled scheme has a configuration in which a WLAN network 130 is coupled to a UMTS core network 100. The WLAN network 130 serves as an access network like an UMTS Radio Access Network (UTRAN) 110. Each subscriber uses UMTS service via the UTRAN 110 or the WLAN network 130 through access points (APs) 132 and 134 according to network access environment. [0009] An Interworking Unit (IWU) 120 is equipment provided for interworking between the UMTS core network 100 and the WLAN network 130, and its basic service control and management function is controlled by the UMTS core network 100. [0010] The conventional tightly coupled interworking scheme described above can support the same mobility, Quality of Service (QoS) and security functions as those provided in the existing UMTS network. However, in order to support these functions, a WLAN terminal 140 must have a built-in UMTS module, and an additional standardization work is needed for interfaces. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an interworking method and apparatus between an asynchronous mobile communication network and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) network based on a tightly coupled scheme. [0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for providing seamless handoff even in the case where a terminal not supporting Mobile IP has moved from a cellular network to a WLAN network. [0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for forming a Layer 3 access point for tightly coupled interworking between a cellular network and a wireless local area network (WLAN) network is provided. The method comprises transmitting, by a terminal which searches and selects the WLAN network while communicating with the cellular network, a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Discover message used for requesting allocation of an Internet Protocol (IP) address, receiving, by an access gateway (AGW) of the WLAN network, the DHCP Discover message from the terminal, setting up a Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) tunnel to a packet data serving network (PDSN) of the cellular network, and delivering the DHCP Discover message to the PDSN through the GRE tunnel, receiving, by the AGW, a DHCP Offer message including IP addresses allocable to the terminal from the PDSN, and delivering the received DHCP Offer message to the terminal, transmitting, by the terminal, a DHCP Request message requesting an IP address, and delivering, by the AGW, the DHCP Request message to the PDSN through the GRE tunnel, receiving, by the AGW, a DHCP ACK message from the PDSN in response to the DHCP Request message, and delivering the DHCP ACK message to the terminal, and receiving by the terminal, the DHCP ACK message. [0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a handoff method in a tightly coupled interworking network between a 3.sub.rd generation (3G) cellular network and a wireless local area network (WLAN) network is provided. The method comprises transmitting, by a terminal, a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Inform message used for requesting setup of a tunnel to a packet data serving network (PDSN) of the cellular network, receiving, by an access gateway (AGW) of the WLAN network, the DHCP Inform message, setting up a temporary tunnel to the PDSN, generating a DHCP ACK message indicating the setup result of the temporary tunnel, and delivering the DHCP ACK message to a terminal, transmitting, by the terminal, a DHCP Inform message indicating completion of handoff from the cellular network to the WLAN network, receiving, by the AGW, the DHCP Inform message, and setting up a regular tunnel to the PDSN, and receiving, by the terminal, a DHCP ACK message indicating the setup result of the regular tunnel. [0015] According to further another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for tightly coupled interworking between a cellular network and a wireless local area network (WLAN) network is provided. The apparatus comprises a terminal connected thereto through the cellular network or the WLAN network, a packet data serving network (PDSN) for allocating an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the terminal, and transmitting packet data of the terminal to an IP network, an access point (AP) for processing a WLAN access standard with a terminal connected to the WLAN network, an access gateway (AGW) for receiving a message used for requesting allocation of an IP address from a terminal which searches and selects the AP of the WLAN network while communicating with the cellular network, receiving an IP address allocated from the PDSN for the terminal, and delivering the allocated IP address to the terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating configuration of a UMTS network and a WLAN network based on a conventional tightly coupled scheme; [0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a tightly coupled interworking network between a cellular network and a WLAN network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a signaling plan according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a traffic plan according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about Method and apparatus for tightly coupled interworking between cellular network and wlan network... 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